Complaints Policy

4th Ashby Scout Group follows the Scout Association’s Complaints policy. An outline of the process is given below but for full information please go to the Scout Associations website.

How do I complain and who do I complain too?

In the first instance, you should try an informal approach to your pack leader to resolve your complaint and to see what action will be taken.

If the informal approach proves to be unsatisfactory, then please speak to the Group Scout Leader.

What complaints are accepted?

We accept complaints about how you have been treated by Scouting or, if you are a parent or carer of a young person, how that young person has been treated by Scouting.

We have a few basic rules for the acceptance of complaints:

Complaints must be raised within three months of you knowing the facts (we do not deal with complaints that are older).

We do not generally investigate anonymous complaints.

We do not accept complaints that are raised on behalf of or regarding other people (except by parents/carers of children in Scouting).

We do not accept complaints that are broadly or substantively the same as a previous complaint.

We do not progress complaints that we believe to be vexatious or malicious.

How will my complaint be dealt with?

Your complaint will be dealt with fairly and objectively. We handle complaints in a positive and pro-active manner and expect resolutions and outcomes to contribute to a process of continuous improvement.

Please bear in mind that adults in Scouting are volunteers and have other calls on their time. It may therefore take a little longer to sort out your complaint, however you will be kept informed of the progress of the complaint with an acknowledgement of a formal complaint within seven days and regular updates (typically at least every four weeks).

The investigator may need to speak to you and a number of other people to fully understand your complaint and the circumstances surrounding it.

The manager will make a decision about the complaint and will inform you whether your complaint is upheld or not and the actions that will be taken as a result.

What if I am not satisfied with the outcome of my complaint?

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint or the way in which it was handled, then you may appeal. You must appeal within three months of being given the outcome of your complaint.

Your appeal must be formally lodged with the next level of manager in Scouting. If you are not sure who this is, then the manager who dealt with your complaint will provide the details. In your appeal, you must clearly explain the basis on which you are making the appeal and your preferred outcome to resolve the issue.

The next senior manager will make a decision about the appeal and will inform you whether your appeal is upheld or not and the actions that will be taken as a result.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal, there is no further escalation of the complaint and we will not consider further any action regarding the complaint or the appeal.

For 4th Ashby Management

Dealing with a complaint is not the nicest job but it is vital that each complaint is handled fairly and in a timely manner according to The Scout Association’s complaint procedure. This covers

Try to resolve issues informally, locally if possible in the first instance

Resolve complaints as early as possible – don’t leave people waiting for something to be done.

Be positive and proactive when dealing with a complaint – don’t hide from the issue.

Identify opportunities for change and improvement – nothing is perfect, if we have made a mistake we should say sorry and put it right.

If a complainant is unhappy with the outcome of a complaint, they can appeal. The appeal procedure allows for only one appeal and that is to the next level of management.